DD is Potty trained and ready to go...

[SassyPixie]

Let me start by saying that my DD is 3 years old.
A year ago, on her 2nd brithday, she went Disney crazy on me! She was sitting in her high-chair eating her cake and a Disney commercial came on... I think it was the first time that she actually put together that there was an actual place where the Princesses and Mickey and Minnie lived.
SHE LOST HER MIND!!!!
So I did what any mother would do.... I fibbed a little and told her that she had to be potty trained to go to Disney World. I told her that Mickey Mouse didn't allow diapers in the park... they would check her pants at the gate and if she didn't have big-girl panties on then she had to wait in the car.
(I know... I'm an evil mommy... but I was at my wits end with the potty training... or lack there of...)
She used the potty for the first time that day!
Anytime she had an accident we would have Mickey or Donald or Goofy call the house (my husband on his cell phone from the garage... my dad... even my brother got in on it) and remind her that they couldn't wait until she was a great big girl who didn't wear diapers so she could come and visit them.
By her 3rd birthday she was completely potty trained and hadn't had an accident in months!
So the big trip is planned for January 26th to the 30th!
She is super excited!!!! And my husband is just as excited because it will be his first trip too (I grew up in Florida so I used to go all the time... but haven't been in over 10 years).
So many things have changed since the last time I was there... What should I absolutely make sure that we do?
We've got the Princess Character Breakfast (I can't wait to see the look on her face when she comes face to face with a real Princess) and the Pirate and Princess Party on the list. I was thinking we'd probably take her to get her hair and nails done...
What else is a absolute must do with a 3 year old Disney Freak and a 27 year old who has been every where in the World (he was in the US Navy) excepy Disney World (sad... I know..)?
I know the one thing we won't miss is a picture with Mickey... after all, I have him to thank for not having to change diapers anymore!

Mickey Mouse is my Hero!

Thanks guys!
~Meg

 

[mom2alix]

What should I absolutely make sure that we do?

Figure out how to explain all those babies and toddlers running around in diapers?

Sorry, I just couldn't resist. What a CUTE story!

Here are some tips:

You might have tea at the GF, if she's a girly girl that would be a lot of fun. We love the character meals.
Chef Mickey's is good for Mickey and the Gang, although I think the interaction is actually better at Garden Grill (every one came around twice and they were really good with the kids).
Get a early (8 am) reservation at Crystal Palace so you can get into the park early one day and take some great pics in front of the castle before the crowds get there.

Hope you have a great (diaper-free) trip!!!!

 

[camdensmom]

What should I absolutely make sure that we do?

Buy nice underwear for the family. You do realize that if you are going to keep the lie going you will need to explain what you have done to the CM at the entrance of each park and request that they not only check your bags, but also check to make sure you are all wearing big-boy and big-girl panties!

I'm just teasing.

Are you on the dining plan? I find the character meals to be great with kids!

 

[SassyPixie]

Figure out how to explain all those babies and toddlers running around in diapers?

Sorry, I just couldn't resist. What a CUTE story!

Yeah... I thought about that too.
But I figured, at that point, she'll be completely potty trained for almost 6 months. There's no going back right???

That... and I'm counting on the Magic of Disney World to disguise the fact that mommy is a big fat liar. What can I say? I was desperate... and it worked!

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

Camdensmom: Yes... we are going to do the dining plan. My husband and I wrestled with the decision for awhile... but I think it sounds like it will be worth it.

 

[dementia412]

One, you can tell fib number two... they changed the rules!

Two, expect an accident. She's been potty trained for 6 months, but kids have accidents after YEARS of training, and with all that excitment there is more of a chance she'll forget about going potty. So make sure you have extra pants on you in the park. If you're lucky you won't need them, and if you're unlucky you'll be covered.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

To the OP...you are not a evil mommy...I did the same thing (well w/o going so far as to claim that the CMs would check at the gate!). Even though DD was potty-trained, I had her wear Princess Pullups at the parks. I was just being selfish and didn't want to carry around wet clothes if she got distracted and had an accident. She didn't have a SINGLE accident during the whole trip. She was so excited to impress the princesses were her potty skills plus the thrill of checking out every bathroom in Disney...she did fantastic.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Well I couldn't pull that one off on DD because she had already been 3 times not potty trained. But I did use the incentive of her getting to tell Cinderella she was a big girl now as motivation for potty training. When she finally saw the princesses I asked her what she had been wanting to tell Cinderella and she told her she was a "big" girl now. I explained why she was a big girl and Cinderella made a big fuss over her and took her by the hand and took her over to introduce her to Snow White and told Snow White all about Sammi being a big girl now. It was SO sweet. And yes...it did work. She only had one accident the whole trip - I was so proud. Oh....and I recommend making sure you have the bag with you when you take her to the potty - I didn't have it on a trip to the Living Seas and Sammi said she had to potty so I took her and she got just a little bit in her panties (I was so proud though because the poor baby had diarreah) and I was totally unprepared. So a very nice young lady went out to find the "blond headed guy with a Donald Duck shirt on" to ask to go get our bag for me Disney is a POWERFUL thing !!

 

[cookies]

What a great story!!!! My DD trained herself 2 weeks before going to Disney! She picked out all Disney panties. When we went to see Jojo she pulled down her pants and showed the characters her Jojo panties!!! I quickly explained to the CM's she was just toliet trained and all the characters gave her high 5's. She was so proud of herself!!! I hope your daughter has a great time!
Did you look into the Playhouse disney lunch at MGM? we are going in jan.

 

[meghan74]

Just in case you haven't already heard this tip, bring post-it notes with you to cover the senser for the automatic flusher in the bathrooms. Those toilets are darn loud and have been known to strike fear in the heart of many a new pottier (is that a word )! Just stick a post-it over the senser as soon as you enter the stall and then remove it once she is done and you won't have to worry about it flushing while she is "doing her business." Also, if I remember correctly, the baby center near the Crystal Palace has child-sized toilets.

P.S. My DD LOVED the Princess meal!